Vaporizer for delivery of vapor to facial area



May 12, 1970 P. CONLIN ETAL VAPORIZER FOR DELIVERY OF VAPOR TO FACIAL AREA Filed April 8. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l I A IMHWH H D I a: QQ \s b 5 M: M A: Wk 4 m" F A @N \N 5: mm VP// V I l I F- 7 mm May 12, 1970 P. CONLIN ETAL VAPORIZER FOR DELIVERY OF VAPOR TO FACIAL AREA Filed April 8, 1968 2 SheetsSheet 2 7 Z @w w, Z W Ww W a Jw W a @W a United States Patent 3,511,236 VAPORIZER FOR DELIVERY OF VAPOR T0 FACIAL AREA Peter Conlin, Reedsbnrg, and Paal Myklebust, Baraboo,

Wis., assignors to Hankscraft Company, Reedsburg,

Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Apr. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 719,624 Int. Cl. A61f 13/16; F22b 1/28 U.S. Cl. 128-187 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The fan delivers a variable air supply to the vaporizing chamber to influence the vapor temperature delivered to the face mask through the hose. The mask has a deflector to break up the incoming vapor and is provided with ventilation holes which serve to further moderate the temperature and distribute the vapor.

Background of invention In the present vaporizer the shield or mask confining the vapor is connected to the vaporizer by means of a flexible hose to enhance the use of the unit. Temperature control is achieved by delivery of air to the vapor at a selectable variable rate. The air aids in rapid delivery of the vapor while moderating the temperature to a desired level. Another feature in the vapor delivery system is the provision of a deflector inside the mask to break up the incoming flow to insure rapid dispersal throughout the mask. Additional vent holes have been provided in the mask to achieve additional vapor turbulence as a result of the slight air flow induced by the breathing of the user (although the mask is not intended to be placed firmly against the face). Electrical safety is insured by provision for drainage of excess water in filling the vaporizer cup.

Description of drawings FIG. 1 is a vertical section through the unit in its storage condition;

FIG. 2 shows another vertical section with the mask connected to the base unit by means of the hose; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view with the mask similarly connected.

Description of preferred embodiment In FIG. 1 the cover is shown in position over the base 12 in the manner in which the present unit may be stored with the generally elongated cup-like face mask 14 nested therewithin and the connecting hose 16 wrapped around the mask in the space between the mask and the cover. The top 18 of the base is a molded part upon which the air control knob 20 is mounted. The knob is connected to shutter 21 below the openings 23 to adjust the size of the openings through which the fan 24, driven by motor 22, may draw air. This is a very simple way to control the volume of air delivered by the fan through slot 26 to the vaporizer chamebr 28. The vaporizer chamber has a base portion 30 including the vaporizer cup 32 and heating element '34. The chamber 28 opens to the top and a suitable cover 36 fits into the opening with a depending skirt 38 cut out at 40 to register with the key-like arcuate projection 42 molded into the chamber wall below slot 26 so the air delivered by fan 24 through slot 26 passes directly under the cover 36 into the vaporizer chamber 28. When the water 44 in the vaporizer cup 32 is heated the rising vapors are mixed with the incoming air and then delivered through the outlet 46.

Hose 16 is provided with a slip connector 48 which fits over outlet 46 for delivery of the air-vapor mixture through the hose to mask 14. The end of the hose adja cent the mask is provided with a connector 50 which fits over the mask inlet 52 and is thick enough to provide insulating qualities permitting it to be used as a hand grip. The mask is provided with a bafiie 54 on the inner end of the inlet which directs the vapor along the back of the front wall of the mask to impinge on deflector 56 to impart a swirling action to the vapor. The front of the mask is also provided with a number of apertures 58 allowing some air flow theretbrough to further blend with the air vapor delivered through the hose and achieve additional distribution of the vapor within the confines of the mask. The mask is approximately the size of the face and is held adjacent (not in direct contact) the face.

It is to be noted that if the vaporizer cup is overfilled the excess liquid will run through the air delivery slot 26 into the fan chamber which communicates with the drain 60 to drain ofi? the excess liquid before it has an opportunity to come into contact with the electric heater or motor.

By varying the damper opening the amount of air blended with the vapor can be varied and this has the effect of adjusting the temperature of the vapor delivered to the mask. Thus the user can select the most comfortable conditions without having to increase the space between the mask and the face with consequent loss of the useful vapors.

Recess 61 holds the electric cord 62 in storage and recesses 64, 64 are provided for storage of creams or the like. The switch 66 controls operation and the on" condition is indicated by light 68.

What is claimed is:

1. A vaporizing device comprising a base having a cup therein for containing a liquid,

a heater mounted adjacent the cup to vaporize the liquid,

a cover mounted on the cup having an outlet therethrough,

a mask of generally elongated cup-shaped configuration having an inlet thereto adjacent the closed end of the mask,

a flexible hose connected to the mask and to the cover outlet for confining and delivering vapor from the cup to the interior of the mask,

a fan in a chamber in the base,

ports leading to the fan chamber,

a manually operated shutter adjustably arranged with respect to said ports for varying the effective size thereof,

an outlet from the chamber to the space between the cover and the cup for admixture with the vapors and delivery to the hose at a rate determined by the setting of the shutters whereby the temperature of the vapors delivered to the hose is determined,

a motor driving the fan and located below the fan chamber,

and a drain conduit from the lower portion of said fan chamber to the exterior of the base so any water in said chamber by reason of overflow from the vaporizer cup will not contact the motor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner J. B. MITCHELL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

